The Britannica Dictionary
mobile search
Home
Ask the Editor
Word of the Day
Quizzes
Core Vocabulary
Browse the Dictionary
×
Britannica Homepage
Ask the Editor
Word of the Day
Quizzes
Core Vocabulary
Browse the Dictionary
The Britannica Dictionary
will–o'–the–wisp
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
will–o'–the–wisp
(noun)
will–o'–the–wisp
/ˌwɪləðə
ˈ
wɪsp/
noun
will–o'–the–wisp
/ˌwɪləðə
ˈ
wɪsp/
noun
Britannica Dictionary definition of WILL–O'–THE–WISP
[
noncount
]
1
:
a goal that cannot be reached
the
will-o'-the-wisp
of world peace
[+] more examples
[-] hide examples
[+] Example sentences
[-] Hide examples
2
:
a light that sometimes appears at night over wet ground
ASK THE EDITOR
What is the correct verb form in this sentence? "The keys to the car (are, is) on the table."
See the answer »
QUIZZES
Vocabulary Quiz
Test your word power
Take the Quiz »
Name That Thing
Take our visual quiz
Test Your Knowledge »
WORD OF THE DAY
replenish
:
to fill or build up (something) again (
somewhat formal
)
Learn More »